Cap. 55 ст. 5Appointment of notaries.

(1) Notaries are appointed for life by the President of

Malta by a notice published in the Gazette, and may exercise their functions in any part of Malta.

(2) For the purposes of sub-article (1), "Malta" shall have the meaning assigned to it in the Interpretation Act and shall also mean the premises housing Maltese high commissions, embassies and consulates, and Maltese registered ships and aircraft.

(3) The Minister responsible for notarial affairs may, from time to time, by a notice in the Gazette, regulate the number of notaries. Such notice shall not be published unless it has been approved by resolution of the House of Representatives, and it shall not affect such persons as at the time of such notice shall have already commenced in the University of Malta the course of studies prescribed for the notarial profession.

(4) Any person who, not being one whose name has appeared in the Gazette in terms of sub-article (1), assumes the designation of Notary or in any manner purports to be entitled to practise the profession of a Notary Public in Malta, shall be guilty of an offence under this Act and shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine (multa) of not less than one thousand euro (€1,000) but not more than five thousand euro (€5,000), and in respect of a second or subsequent conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months or to both such fine and imprisonment.

(5) The provisions of sub-article (4) shall also apply to a person who has ceased to practise his profession in terms of article 14(1).

*